Common Squirrel-cuckoo
Piaya cayana
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<birdfyi-bird slug="piaya-cayana"></birdfyi-bird>About
Common Squirrel-cuckoo (Piaya cayana) — 40–50 cm. Brilliant rufous-chestnut above and on breast; grey belly; yellow-green bill; very long tail with bold black-and-white tips. Widespread in forest and forest edge from Mexico to Bolivia and Argentina. Non-parasitic. Insectivore; agile forager in tree canopy catching large insects and caterpillars.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 29.1 cm | 11.5 in |
| Weight | 103.85 g | 3.66 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Great Spotted Cuckoo: gray above with white spots; pale below; long white-spotted dark tail; long pale crest; European migrant
Habitat & Range
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: HC. Incubation: 18-19 days. Fledging: 8 days.
Clutch Size
2
Sound
Song
Harsh, far-carrying call with raucous quality; loud rough notes carrying through dense tropical forest.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Cuculiformes (Cuckoos) |
| Family | Cuculidae (Cuckoos) |
| Genus | Piaya |
| Species | Piaya cayana |
Distribution
Common Squirrel-cuckoo has been recorded in 4 countries.
{# Distribution Map — simplified SVG world map with highlighted countries. Expects `country_codes` variable: list of ISO alpha-2 codes (e.g. ["US", "CA", "MX"]). Uses Alpine.js to toggle classes on country paths. #}countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Common Squirrel-cuckoo endangered?
How does the Common Squirrel-cuckoo nest?
What does the Common Squirrel-cuckoo sound like?
How big is the Common Squirrel-cuckoo?
What order and family does the Common Squirrel-cuckoo belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Cuculidae family